8 Hanukkah-Themed Cocktails to Toast With Each Night (VinePair).
For most Americans, December brings about visions of trees adorned with ornaments and stars, carolers, and a jolly old man in a red suit. And for those who love cocktails, it also conjures up dreams of spiked eggnog, mulled wine, and hot buttered rum. Yet those of us celebrating Hanukkah have winter traditions that are a bit different — so why shouldn’t our cocktails be?
From bubbly libations to pair with all things fried, to cocktails that mimic the flavors of some of our favorite Hanukkah foods, read on for eight cocktail recipes to make and drink on each night of Hanukkah.
NIGHT ONE
The Brandy Alexander Recipe
As it’s tradition to gift and eat gelt (chocolate coins) on this holiday, a decadent, chocolatey drink is the ideal companion for lighting the rightmost candle on the Menorah. To make it, combine brandy, creme de cacao, and cream in a shaker, strain into a coupe glass, and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.
NIGHT FOUR
The Forty Niner Recipe
Love freshly made sufganiyot but don’t have a deep fryer? On the fourth night of Hanukkah, try out this cocktail instead. Combine rye, raspberry brandy, Giffard Framboise, lime, honey syrup, and Angostura bitters for a cocktail that tastes like the inside of a jelly doughnut. If you’re really in the Hanukkah spirit, you can fat wash the rye.
NIGHT SIX
The Saon 75 Recipe
Every VinePair reader knows by now that fried foods and sparkling wines make many great pairings. And this riff on the classic French 75, with its mixture of sparkling wine and apple flavors, begs to be sipped with all the Hanukkah favorites. On night six, combine Calvados, lemon juice, simple syrup, and sparkling wine such as Cava or Prosecco for a cocktail to combine with present opening (and, of course, snacking).
NIGHT EIGHT
The Fiery Caramel Apple Hot Toddy
This riff on the Hot Toddy is almost as fiery as the Menorah on the final night of Hanukkah. To make it, combine boiling water with cinnamon whiskey (Fireball, obviously), apple brandy, turbinado simple syrup, and lemon bitters. This cocktail may or may not cure your winter cold, but it will surely warm you up quicker than the funky socks your family gets you for the holiday … again.
Read All Nights Here
And our favorite for any holiday…
